A main route in and out of a village has shut after fly-tippers targeted it for the third time in six weeks.

School Lane in Horton Kirby, near Dartford, has been forced to close again due to the dumping.

Images show a large pile of tree branches, rubbish and plastic blocking part of the country lane.

It has been declared out bounds, between the Gas Works and house number 82, since around 12.30pm yesterday (March 20).

The route could remain shut for a week while an investigation by Kent County Council (KCC) is carried out and a clean-up operation gets underway.

However, the highways authority estimates it will reopen at about 7pm next Tuesday (March 26).

No alternative routes have been put in place for vehicles, although KCC says "every effort will be made to maintain access for residents whenever it is safe to do so".

The same road was closed twice last month - both times for a week - when KCC was again forced to remove rubbish on the stretch.

On February 20, fly-tippers dumped large amounts of roof tiles and dirt in the middle of the road.

Two weeks prior a separate incident took place after a large pile of earth and weeds were found on a bend, blocking part of the route.

The affected area is less than three miles away from Brands Hatch racing circuit.